Gary Coleman, the adorable, pint-sized child star of the smash 1970s TV sitcom Diff'rent Strokes who spent the rest of his life struggling on Hollywood's D-list, died on Friday after suffering a brain haemorrhage. He was 42.
Coleman was taken off life support and died with family and friends at his side, Utah Valley Regional Medical Center spokeswoman Janet Frank said.
He suffered the brain haemorrhage on Wednesday at his Utah home. Frank said Coleman was hospitalised because of an accident at the home, but she had no further details.
Coleman's family, in a statement read by his brother-in-law Shawn Price, said information would be released shortly about his death.
Best remembered for Diff'rent Strokes character Arnold Jackson and his "Whatchu talkin' 'bout?" catchphrase, Coleman chafed at his permanent association with the show but also tried to capitalise on it through reality shows and other TV appearances.
His adult life was marked with legal, financial and health troubles, suicide attempts and even a 2003 run for California governor.
"I want to escape that legacy of Arnold Jackson," he told The New York Times during his gubernatorial run. "I'm someone more. It would be nice if the world thought of me as something more."
A statement from the family said he was conscious and lucid until midday on Thursday, when his condition worsened and he slipped into unconsciousness. Coleman was then placed on life support.